Gate latch



Fb. @s w23. L. J. RUTHERFORD GATE LATCH 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 6217"" rdmvsm'on ATTO RN EY WITNESSES Feb. 6, R923. l mmlgwz L. J. RUTHERFORD GATE LATCH FILED Novy 15, 1921 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 27.21 j? QJ.

WTNESS ATTORNEY LANIUS J. RUTHERFGRD,

GATE

Application filed November To all whom 'may concer-vt: j

Be it kno-wn that l, Limos JV. Fernenroinn citizen of the United States, residing at Natchez, in the county of .Adams and fit-ate of Mississippi, have invented new and usefulA Improvements in Gate Latches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a gate latch, and the object is to provide for securing a gate at the 'usual point, and at a point near the bottom, the two securing devices having a. particular rela-tion, and being operable at the same time.

A further object is to provide a construction which shall include a pivoted securing device so designed and mounted that it will impart vertical movement to a bar having an oifset at its lower end-the offset [portion engaging a soclret in one of the upright-s of the gate, whereby both securing'devices are retained in locking position.

A still further object is to provide, in connection with the foregoing construction, a pivoted latch movable on an axis parallel with the closed gate, and entering a socket in the gate post, the latch carrying an arm by means of which the lower gate securing element is controlled.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of elements described and claimed, it being understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the gate and the mounting and fastening devices; Figure 2 is an elevation of that portion of the fastening means secured to the face of the gate post; Figure 3 is a transverse section on line 3MB of Figure 1; Figure 4lis a section on line l--t of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the engaging devices carried by an element of the gate; Figures 6 and 7 illustrate details of construction described below. Y

The gate 10 includes an upright l2, which, when the gate is closed, is adjacent to the gate post 14. This gate post is provided with a main recess 15, receiving the U por tion 16 of a plate 17, the outer portions of the plate or strip being mortised in the front of the post and suitably secured.

Formed on the plate 17, or Welded thereon, are ears 18, 19, receiving a pin 20 which serves to pivotally mount the latch 21, the

OE' NATCHEZ, IMISSISSIEPI.

latter being curved as shown and the end 22 entering the U portion 16.

in arm 23 extending from the latch is engaged by the hooked end 2li of lthe vertical rod 25, this rod extending through channel of the post and having an offset end 27 projecting through slotted plate 28 mounted on the surface of the post adjacent the gate when the latter is closed.

The upright l2 of the gate is provided with a socket 3() near its iower end. the entrance portion. of the socket being designated 31. This socket receives a strip 32 including U p rtion disposed within the socket per se, and also including an outwardly and downwardly extending portion 33. iihen the gate is closed, theoffset 27 rides up on the inclined portion and lifts the rod the latch E21 by means75 oi the arm 23.

it the saine time, a pin 34, carried by element l2 of the gate, engages the outer portion of the curved surface of the latch, and this action also tends to swing the latch toward the central portion of the U member lo, permitting the pin to pass inwardly to a position where it is free Vof the latch, and the latter moves by gravity to locking position. The vertical rod and its offset. end inove downwardly at the saine time, and the offset enters the socle provided therefor, so 'that the is secured at two points.

By grossing the outer portion of latch il with the lingers. the pin IM; is freed and the offset member 27 is raised to a j'iosition where it will release the gate. if either portion of the device tends to stick slightly because of weather' cont" the locking operation will be facilitated because of the double arrangement described.

l/Fhat i claim is* l. ln a device of the class described, a plate including a U portion for reception within a socket of a gate post, a device to be carried by a vertical member of a gate and positioned to enter the l portion when the gate is closed, a latch pivoted on the outer portion of the plate and having a curved end entering the U portion. the latch being movable to permit said device on the gate to pass beyond the latch into the U portion, and means for securing the latch in position to prevent said device from moving in the opposite direction.

2. ln a device of the class described, a latch and means for pivoting the same on a socket and the free endet the latch being movable into the socket, a pin to be mounted on a vertical elementy of a-ga'te-` in` position for moving into the socket upon engagen ment with the pivoted latch, the latch closing the socket upon the continued movement of the pin beyond the latch7 an operating andretaining member pivoted to the latch, andy a socket formed insaidelement of the gate for receiving the retaining member and holding the latch inoperative. l

3L In a device of the class described, a latchand means for pivoting the latch on a gate post, the post being provided with a recess, and the ree end of the latch beingcurved and movable into the recess, a pin to be mountedl on a vertical element ol" a gate in position tor entering the recess upon engaging and passingthe 'ree end of the pivoted latch, an arm carried by the latch', a'rod pivoted thereto, a device oset from one endoi' the rod,`and a device to be carried by said elementl oi the gate and includingc;` a socket port-ion j'or receiving the ofset end and an inclined operating surface for engagement by the otlset portion when the gate is closed, or elevating the rod, the socket permitting the rod to drop into position for retaining the latch inoperative,

el. llliecombination with a gate and gate post, the latter having a recess therein, of a plateincluding a U portion extending into the recess, a .latch pivoted on an axis parallel with the gate when closed, the latch having a lower tree endprojecting into the recess, a pin carried'by the gate and entering the recess upon passing from the outer to the' inner side of the latch as thelatter moves'about its axis, a vertically operative elementmovable with thelatch, and an inclined and socleted member carried by the gate V:tor controllingtheniovement of the vertical member. e

ln testimony whereof `l afliX my signature.

LANUS J. RUTHERFR-D. 

